Um Kalthoum Elawady

19th century Egyptian poet and educator who championed women's education in the Ottoman era

Um Kalthoum Elawady (1835-1902) was a visionary educator and poet in Ottoman Egypt, known as the 'Mother of Egyptian Feminism'. Born in Alexandria, she founded Egypt's first girls' school in 1864 despite fierce opposition from conservative religious leaders. Her educational philosophy emphasized science, literature, and critical thinking - radical concepts at a time when girls' education was virtually nonexistent. Historical records indicate her school enrolled over 500 students by 1870, creating a template for modern Egyptian education.

As a poet, her works like The Phoenix's Flight celebrated female empowerment and intellectual freedom. She used her literary fame to lobby Ottoman authorities for educational reforms, securing decrees that allowed girls to attend public schools by 1882. Her advocacy extended to establishing teacher training programs to create a sustainable educational infrastructure.

Elawady's legacy is commemorated in Cairo's National Museum of Education and the annual Kalthoum Educational Prize. Modern scholars recognize her as the first Egyptian woman to systematically challenge gender norms through both education and literature. Her pedagogical methods influenced later reformers like Qasim Amin, father of Egyptian feminism.